Reflector holder



March l0, 1931.

D. M. YYAUPP -REFLECTOR HOLDER Filed Oct. lO 1929 Patented Mar. 10, 1931 UNITED STATES DANIEL M. YA'UP-P, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS REFLECTOR HOLDER Application filed October 10i 1929. Serial No. 398,782.

My invention relates to reflectors for Christmas tree illuminating bulbs and the like and my main object is to provide a novel clamp for the retention of the reflector to the socket of the bulb.

further object of the invention is to design the novel clamp from'a single piece of spring wire, making its cost nominal.

A still further object of the invention is to so design the novel clamp that it is easily applied and removed without the use of' skill or tools.

A final but nevertheless important object of the invention is to construct the novel clamp for application without in any way altering or adding to the conventional ornament and bulb socket.

With the above objects in View and any others that may suggest themselves from the specification and claims to follow a better understanding of the invention may be had by reference to the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is an elevation of the novel clamp showing its application to a typical reflector installation Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the structure shown in Figure 1;

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 ol Figure l; and

Fig. 4 is a section, showing the application of the novel clamp to a modified socket.

In typical illuminating installations Jfor Christmas trees and the like, a disk-like ren flector is applied to the socket before the bulb is screwed into the latter, the bulb serving as a guard to prevent the departure or disengagement of the reflector. When a bulb is to be replaced, the removal of the old bulb leaves nothing for the support of the reflector and the latter consequently drops from the socket or must beheld in place while the new bulb or one of a differentcolor is inserted. It has been my intention to relieve the attendant of any concern relative to the reflector when changing bulbs, the reflector in the novel embodiment being supported by the socket irrespective of the presence of the bulb.

Referring to the drawing in greater detail, 5 denotes a bulb socket of the modern type, the same having a beaded enlargement 6 near the top, and a neck-like upper end 7. The reflector is indicated at 8, and is generally of the disk type, involving an array of petals made of metallic foil. TheV reflector is built around a central` ring 9 of fibre or other insulating material.

The ring 9 of the reflector is of a dimension to seat upon the neck 7 of the socket, and my'object is to have the novel clamp secure the ring in seated position whereby to hold the same to the socket.

The novel clamp consists of a helical scroll of light spring wire. The lower portion of the scroll involves two or three plain coils 10. In an upward direction these coils are continued with an olfset 11, a final and larger coil 12 and a terminal hook 13 for the latter.

In the application of' the novel clamp, the latter is applied to the socket before the reflector and bulb, whereby to locate the coils 10 under the beaded enlargement 6 as shown. The connecting coil 10a is, however, drawn over the enlargement to seat with its greater portion upon the neck 7. The reflector then applied to the neck 7, and the final coil 'l2 brought over the ring 9 to encircle the same at the junction of the ring with the petal assembly of the reflector. Finally, the hook 13 is caught behind the olfset 11 to lock the coil 12 securely to the reeetor.

It will be seen that the coil assembly 10 constitutes a grip upon the socket, while the final oo il 12 constitutes a grip upon the reflector; and the intermediate or connecting coil 10a forms a connection between the two grips to hold the reflector to the socket. While the connecting coil is partly diagonal in its course, it will be recalled that its greater portion seats about the neck 7 and therefore furnishes a simple support 0r backing for the reflector ring 9. Further, the oset 11 Vis calculated with a length to space the connecting coil 10a and the final coil 12 to snugly receive the reflector ring 9. Incidentally, the latter has a. somewhat rounded periphery so that the final coil 12 finds an annular groove or crevice between the ring and the Cil petal assembly and therefore holds its place by inherent tension. This fact also aids in squaring the reflector up with the connecting coil a, so that the reiiector will not assume a slanted or odd position. T he hook 13 is not pronounced, being merely deflectedV to a sufficient degree to form a seatfor the offset ll and resist tendencies of the latter to slide off during vibration of the tree or when the ornament is roughly handled.

Figure l shows the application of the novel clamp to the old-fashioned type of socket, which is in the form of .aplain cylinder. In this case. the coil assembly 10 holds as before, and the `connecting coil is vled to and seats upon the receiving end ofthe socket, then extending tothe reflector ring as before.

In conclusion, it n'illbe evident that the novel clamp isof utmost simplicity, being made of a single length of'inexpensive spring wire. Further, it requires no screws or eXtra 'parts'lor its application'and does not impose the alteration or modification of the parts to which it is ivapplied. Gnce the reflector is secured with thenovel clamp described, the bulb may be removed and replaced without any attention Whatever' to -the reflector. the latter ren'iaining securely in place.

I claim:

l. A holder for the reflector in Christmas tree illu]ninatii'igunits forme-d with a. bulb socket and ahead-like ring as a. base for the reflector `and having an annular groove. coniprising: a spring Wire coil clamping the socket, a. continuation of the coil looped upon the exposed side surface of the socket. and a further contiiiuation encircling'the basey and seating in the `annular groove formed between the bead of the base andthe body of the reflector, and a transverse offset connect.- ing the continuations and crossing the periphery of the'base rintg.

Q. A holder for the reflector in ("-lnistnms tree illuminating units formed with a hull socket and a bend-like Vring ns :ibase for the relieclorI :unlhari'ng an annular groove` cornprising: a spring` wire coil clamping the socket. :i continuationof theeoil looped upon the exposed side surface of the socket. and a ,further continuation encircling the base and seating in the annular `groove formed between the bead of the base Aand the body of the reflector. a transverse oifset connecting the continuations and crossing theperipliery of the'base ring. and 'afhook formed terminally of the last mentionedcontinuation and caughtbehind said offset.

3. A holder for the reflector in'C-hristnias` tree illuminating units formed with a bulb sol-liet and a bead-like ring as a base for the reflector and havingaan annular groove, coinprising: a spring Wire coil clamping the socket. a continuation of the coil looped'upon the exposed'side surface of the socket, and a .further continuation encircling the base and seating in the annular groove formed between the bead of the base and the bodyv of the reflector. u l

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

DANIEL M. 'Ylnrih 

